Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - RMD Coordinator for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) works in support of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) management team. The Fresno VA Medical Center is searching for a highly motivated and skilled RMD coordinator. Responsible for the quality management system activities within Sterile Processing Services, to include Quality Assurance (QA) monitoring, staff competency assessment, and enforcement of standard operating procedures.

Duties

Functions/Scope of Assigned Duties: - Responsible for the quality management system activities within Sterile Processing Services, to include QA monitoring, staff competency assessment, and enforcement of standard operating procedures. - Monitors quality assurance in the cleaning/decontamination, sterilization, reprocessing, and distribution of surgical instruments and technical medical equipment processed in SPS - Ensures national sterile processing standards are followed in the process of cleaning/decontamination, sterilization, reprocessing, and distribution of critical and/or semi critical reusable medical equipment. - Serves as liaison between SPS and other departments. - Ensures staff is competent for reprocessing critical and semi-critical RME. - Updates the Chief (or designee) on patient safety alerts and issues concerning reusable medical equipment. - Establishes and maintains frequent contacts with interdisciplinary staff and outside vendors and manufactures. - Develops procedures to evaluate the quality of work performance and outcomes as it relates to the quality assurance program. - Tracks and analyzes required documentation pertaining to critical, and semi-critical RME within the scope of SPS for quality control purposes - Responsible for facilitating training of various aspects of SPS, including reprocessing and inventory management. Conducts departmental orientation, training, skills review and assists with educational programs to maintain high staff quality performance standards. Identifies and promotes staff development. - The incumbent is a resource for Medical Supply Technicians in the loading and operation of sterilizers such as Steam, Sterrad, VProMaxx, and high-level disinfecting process as well as reprocessing of endoscopes. - Conducts Quality Assurance monitoring on all activities performed in Sterile Processing to evaluate efficacy of training and education, to include, simple and complex instrument cleaning, endoscope reprocessing, surgical instrument tray preparation, sterilization monitoring, case cart assembly, mechanical equipment efficacy testing, and staff training and competency documentation. Incumbent will perform second checks of MST instrument set validation as needed or in the absence of a lead MST or Supervisor, for that tour of duty or day, per VA Directive. - Incumbent performs and reports all monthly quality checks of RME at point of use to identify non-conforming product. - Maintains documentation of all QA activities and reports to the Chief, SPS, Assistant Chief SPS, and recommends improvement opportunities. - Performs other duties as assigned. Complete training coursework and VA SPS certification as required for a Sterile Processing Technician position in the VA. Maintain certification by completing approved, annual Continuing Education Units (CEU) and annual in-service hours. Reusable Medical Equipment: The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) as required by this position. The incumbent will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RME appropriate to this position. The incumbent will be able to demonstrate their ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RME appropriate to this position. Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) is any medical equipment designed by the manufacturer to be reused for multiple patients. All personnel who are involved in the reprocessing of RME are responsible for knowing what reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices or supplies are used (inventory) in their clinical area. All personnel who are involved with the use of RME must be familiar with which items are reprocessed locally (on unit) and/or which items are sent to Sterile Processing for reprocessing and/or sterilization. If items are transported for reprocessing, personnel must be aware of the individual decontamination steps that must be taken prior to transport of item and the appropriate method of transport. All personnel who are involved in reprocessing of RME are responsible for following the local Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) drafted in accordance with the manufacturer's written recommendations. Sterile Processing and Infection Control should be consulted when clarification of written instructions are needed. No one should be reprocessing any reusable medical equipment based upon vendor's verbal instructions alone; this is not an adequate practice. All personnel that are in any way involved in the reprocessing of RME must have documented training in the setup, reprocessing and maintenance of specific equipment. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 0700-1530 Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 570-04087-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Experience and/or Education: Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; OR Education. One year above high school that included at least 6 semester hours in health care related courses such as sterile processing, nursing assistant, hospital corpsman, and operating room and surgical technician courses or other courses related to the position; OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U. S. programs. Grade Determinations:GS-07 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - RME Coordinator Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06). Example of equivalent experience are but not limited to: assembling highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures. Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to interact with individuals of varying backgrounds in order to assess the needs of the department. 2. Ability to coordinate work in order to complete duties in an accurate and timely fashion. 3. Ability to interpret and apply sterile processing/infection prevention regulations and policies. 4. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment. 5. Ability to initiate and lead interdisciplinary groups in carrying out sterile processing functions. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/83 PART II, APPENDIX G47, MEDICAL SUPPLY TECHNICIAN (STERILE PROCESSING) QUALIFICATION STANDARD, GS-622, DATED JULY 8, 2015. Preferred: Must possess a SPS certification from either International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) or Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD). As per qualification standards applicants must have Sterile Processing Experience. Interpreting manufacture IFUs, writing SOPs and competencies. Speaking publicly and training staff on procedures for processing RMD. Preferred experience: Sterile Processing experience at least 3 years. Experience with endoscope reprocessing for 2 years minimum. Experience applying quality assurance skills. Ability to assess for the application of best practice. Attention to detail, time management, problem-solving, testing experience, and survey experience. Must have a good reputation with an unwavering commitment to meticulous production. Demonstrates self-confidence. The full performance level of this vacancy is 7. Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus. The incumbent may be required to work in areas that are hot, cold, drafty and poorly lighted. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries from material handling equipment. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much Page 4 of 5 as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Fresno VA Medical Center 2615 East Clinton Avenue Fresno, CA 93703 US
• Name: Havel Respes
• Phone: 415-221-4810 X23728
• Email: [email protected]